Jarka Popovicova

Born in Czechoslovakia, I was a competitive skier and trained in a ski team since between the age of 5 and 20 when I started studying to develop a new career. My entire life from age 5 till 20 was devoted to cross training and specific ski training. We were doing track, long distance running, hiking, climbing, gymnastics, trampoline etc.  I completed high school and an MS degree in Prague, Czechoslovakia at that time. During my studies in Prague I worked as a fitness instructor mostly for toning and high impact aerobics classes in Prague. I also worked as children's skiing coach. In 1989 I was a volunteer for one month in France where I helped built mountain bike trails. In 1991 I moved to San Diego for my first long international experience where I worked as an intern for 1.5 years. In 1993 I was accepted at the University of Arizona, PhD program. After my graduation I worked in the mountains of central California as a water quality intern. My career started in Denver in 1996 where I worked for a nonprofit organization dedicated to water research. Since 2003 I have been working and residing in Muncie where I work as a professor at a University.

Since 1991 I have exercised on my own (hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, yoga, pilates, group fitness classes, weigh lifting)> I also attended numerous specialized courses in Les Mills Bodyvive and BodyBalance in Italy, Aquadynamic. I have been a regular client at Ball State University Fitness program since 2003 until I decided to pursue my passion and teach fitness.

I speak 5 languages and have travelled to numerous countries in Europe, South and Central America.